Red Bar
- Bartender 1: Xxxxx, Caucasian 5’6” tall, long blonde hair pulled back in to a side ponytail. The bartender wore a black tank top and black pants
- Bartender 2: Xxxxx, Caucasian 5’11” tall, brown hair pulled back in to a ponytail. He had long thick sideburns. He wore a black t-shirt and black pants. He was identified by customers as Xxxxx.
The agent approached the bar and was quickly greeted by Xxxxx. Xxxxx was friendly smiled at the agent and asked if he would like to place an order. The agent indicated that he needed a few moments to decide, and look at the menu.
Xxxxx patiently waited while he served other guests, and leaned on the back counter between guests.
When the agent did decide on a drink, Xxxxx asked if the agent had a liquor preference. Once the drink order was complete, Xxxxx turned and placed the drink order in to the computer. When the agent requested to start a tab, Xxxxx requested a credit card to start a tab. Xxxxx placed the credit card in a small glass to the left of the left POS.
The agent observed Xxxxx handing receipts to every customer who paid with cash. The tip from the customer would go in a clear plastic cylinder that was on top of the left POS leaning on a small structural wall that separated the bar back in half.
Xxxxx seemed to be enjoying himself at work that evening. He would make small talk with the guests as well as with Bartender 2. A happy bartender always seems to make for happy guests. There was a bit of casualness about the way the two bartenders interacted and joked with each other.
When the cocktail servers would place orders, a receipt would print out to the bartenders POS. Instead of placing the chit with the drinks made, and handing both the receipt and the drink to the server, every chit was thrown away after the order was read. The cocktail waitresses never received this piece of paper verifying their drink orders. This should be a required practice in case verification is ever needed.
A bar back was quite busy helping out the bartenders throughout the evening. He would bring them clean glasses, and clear out the dirty used glasses.
Xxxxx as well as Bartender 2 cleared off the bar top immediately after the drinks were finished.
Once the agents drink would become half full, Xxxxx would ask if the agent needed an additional drink.
Every drink ordered was put in to the POS system. The check was presented correctly with no mistakes. The final payment was accepted and processed in a timely manor.
Please see the Addendum for additional information that may put the agent’s identity at risk.
Addendum:
Two small incidences happened during the agents visit to the Red Bar that may be worth mentioning.
The outside bouncer came in to the bar complaining to Xxxxx about not feeling well. I believe he said he had a sore throat. Xxxxx whipped up a concoction for him in a small shot type of glass. He was using simple ingredients in which did not make the agent suspicious, until the agent overheard Xxxxx telling the bouncer that there was only a small amount of alcohol in the drink. Xxxxx did not ring this drink into the computer in any way, not even under a comp tab. This is giving away alcohol, as well as the bouncer having alcohol on the job. At the very minimum this drink should have been rung in as a comp drink.
TITLE 4, CHAPTER 3
4-244. Unlawful acts
12. For a licensee, when engaged in waiting on or serving customers, to consume spirituous liquor or for a licensee or on-duty employee to be on or about the licensed premises while in an intoxicated or disorderly condition.
The second incident happened at 11:18pm. A small group of people came up to the bar, and seemed to be familiar with the bartenders. They placed an order with the bartender for three drinks. Xxxxx did not accept cash, did not take a room key and did not take any form of payment. Xxxxx went to the register and typed a few things in, however he was servicing multiple guests at this time, and could have been entering in the other orders. The agent did not have a clear view of the screen to see what he specifically was inputting. The patron next to the agent spilled a drink, breaking the glass, and needed to order a new one. This drink the guest paid cash for; this order was put in to the POS where it is unclear if the other was ever actually entered.
The third incident happened at 11:25pm. Two men approached the bar; they were familiar with the bartenders, and had a tab open using an American Express Credit card. They ordered one more round of drinks and then asked to close out the tab. While Bartender 2 went to grab the credit card for the tab, and the receipt, Xxxxx took a minute and introduced himself to the guests. Bartender 2 handed the gentleman his credit card and receipt, and said “Eric, we’ll take care of this one for you; because we’re silly like that.” Eric said ok, and then grabbed a $10 bill and threw it on the table for tip. Bartender 2 threw it back. They settled on four one dollar bills. The agent did not see either bartender call a manager over to comp a check.
Michael Zenner – CEO
hospitality checkpoints Inc.
hospitalitycheckpoint.com
bartheft.com (blog)
Hospitality Checkpoint PLLC
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liquorassessment.com
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